Planning officials back mixed scheme at site of old paper mill

Leeds City Council has received a number of objections to the proposals which would see over 230 homes, flats, and retirement apartments on the site of Garnetts Paper Mill, in Otley, but officers are recommending that the plans are given the green light.

A report to be considered by members of Leeds Council’s plans panel west says: “The site is that of the former Garnetts paper manufacturers on the riverside at Otley. The site as a whole extends to an area of 6.1 hectares. The main buildings and active part of the complex are concentrated towards the western end of the site and along the riverside.”

The proposals by BDW Ltd, also includes creating green space, a public car park and a bar/restaurant on the site, and proposes the use of some buildings for offices.

A separate application, which council officers also recommend should be given the go-ahead, will be considered to create a new access road at land adjacent to Gallows Hill, Pool Road, Otley.

Objectors include Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), who has written to the committee opposing the access road application saying: “The area in question has some historical significance hence the name Gallows Hill and was also a Victorian tip.”

There have been 13 letters of objection and 51 petition letters also raising concerns from fears about the scale and height of the proposed houses and offices, to concerns the area will become a rat run, fears the access road will impact upon Gallows Hill nature reserve, to claims Otley is full and cannot accommodate any more cars and houses.

One letter of support and six letters making general comments have also been received by planning officers at the local authority.

However, council officers conclude that good progress has been made on the matter and say the scheme presented “will deliver a good urban extension to Otley.”

The project will include new build and the conversion of buildings.

The application was deferred in May this year to give the chance for developers to look again at the access road. Council officers are now recommending that members back a reserved matters application to create the homes and office space and a separate application for the laying out of the access road when they meet on Thursday, subject to conditions being agreed.

“On balance the city council considers the development would not give rise to any unacceptable consequences for the environment, community or other public interests of acknowledged importance,” the report says.

In conclusion, the report says “The proposal is considered to preserve the character and appearance of this part of the Otley Conservation Area.

“The objectives and purposes of including land within the green belt along with the openness are on balance not harmed by the proposed Eastern Access Road. The proposals are not envisaged to result in serious harm to the amenity of neighbouring residents or future occupiers of the development.

“There are no other material considerations that outweigh this finding. The panel is therefore recommended to defer and delegate approval the application for residential and commercial development and the separate application for the new eastern access road.”

It is hoped the old hydro-electric turbines by the weir could be used to provide sustainable “green” energy for the development.

The report says that the developer is still keen on redeveloping the existing hydroelectric turbine and bringing it back into use. But due to the complexity of this and the need for a third party to be involved, more details are needed to before this aspect can be progressed.

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